Policy: Hosting interns
Future Worlds Center puts enormous value in sharing its enthusiasm, energy, know-how, experience, processes and procedures developed over the years with the rest of the world. Therefore, we invite individuals from around the world to come and spend some time in our organization. Many people apply every year to implement an internship with the organization. Since we follow a strict selection process, we strongly encourage those interested to start early, to study the philosophy, vision/mission, policies and procedures of the organization and to draft a well written justification letter explaining their interest and the way they think Future Worlds Center will benefit from hosting them.
FWC policy regarding the mentoring of our interns includes the following
Before accepting a new intern, associates must consult with their respective Head of Unit and to check the availability of office space and resources to avoid congestion; they should also inform all Heads of Units to make sure the skills of a potential intern match the current needs of the whole organization.
- Each Unit may only have one Intern. This rule can be waived by decision of the executive management.
- Interns cannot be placed to workstations of Current Associates of the organization.
- Every intern has to be assigned a Mentor (preferably a Senior Associate).
The mentor is in charge of agreeing and monitoring the schedule (working hours) and workload of the intern; the intern cannot be involved in tasks assigned by other associates without prior permission of the intern's mentor.
The intern's mentor is responsible to follow-up the training of his/her intern, as well as to draft the Reference Letter at the end of the internship, which will however be signed by the Head of Unit and/or the Executive Director of the organization.
Policy regarding interns remuneration
FWC has no funds allocated for interns. Most interns are financially supported through their sending organizations, third-party scholarships or their families. FWC is happy to support the process of an intern's application for financial support.
Policy regarding number of interns and internship durations
FWC wishes to open its doors to as many young social entrepreneurs as possible. This is however not possible because an intern is not only an asset for the organization, but also a liability, both in terms of time attention required as well as financial costs incurred. We therefore rarely accept more than one intern per unit at the same time. Furthermore, interns are not encouraged to apply for durations shorter than 6 or ideally 12 months, because such applications are approved only under extraordinary circumstances.
FWC policy regarding obligations of interns includes the following
- FWC is not able to provide computers to interns; therefore every intern should bring his/her own laptop and use it during the internship.
- Every intern has to support Future Worlds Center Administration by dedicating 2 hours per day to execute administrative tasks (such as answering phones, dealing with clients, copying, filing etc.) according to the instructions of the Administrator. No exception can be made.
- Every intern, like anyone else who has worked in the organisation, should complete the Self and Peer Evaluation form in line with the Self and Peer Evaluation Policy and arrange a meeting to discuss it with his/her Supervisor and team. To complete the Self-evaluation you need to download the form template in pdf or request in word format from the direct supervisor.
For the rules regarding the process of engaging an intern, please see the Inviting and Hosting interns Procedure
